Zacharius

25 minutes ago, ellcee said:

I think people mean well by giving $2...but the same people don't realize that many people in the USA don't even realize they are real, let alone people outside of the USA.
 

Oh this is absolutely the case. They mean well...they're tipping. And they're tipping with something that seems "fun" and "unique". But I have found that these people are often the ones who haven't traveled much outside of cruising or similar planned/guided trips and don't understand that when these folks get back home, even if they're from developed places like Western Europe (which most aren't), those $2 bills are worthless.

I am from a small (population wise) country in southern Africa and can assure you probably .001% of the population knows they even exist. 

3 hours ago, teddy said:

Many years ago I used to work in one of our stores that was near a “social“ bar and the workers from there would have hundreds of dollars in twos that they used to pay for their groceries. 
 

I finally had to ask and was told that the management of the bar encouraged patrons to tip with $2 bills. 

"I was going to give them $5, but okay, here's $2"

Yeah, definitely avoid doing this with non-US persons. I'm saying that as a non-US person. $2 bills are pretty much unheard of outside the US - very few people know they exist, and even fewer are able to change them out in their own country (or any other country, for that matter). Stick to the normal currencies. 

8 hours ago, mscinmia said:

not the novelty one from the hospital with the footprints

"No man, it's me...I'll take my shoes off and we can match them up to prove it!"

It's kind of like the Jurassic Park line to me - "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."

In your case, yes, you could. But as many others have stated before me...should you? I would not feel comfortable leaving the country without one or even both (I'm a dual citizen) of my passports. Doesn't matter how close or how far, to me, there are too many risks. 

1 hour ago, RafaellaCG said:

I would take wrapped candy (like a mini Hershey bar) but not bare candy (like some jellybeans).

I am just picturing folks wandering around the ship giving out individual jelly beans from their pocket. 

To all the folks mentioning using pills - just please be careful. While it's exceedingly rare, there are times when evacuation is necessary, and being on certain meds/pills/drugs can definitely hamper this and cause issue to yourself and those around you. 

48 minutes ago, Auto said:

I don't know if it would help you in your particular situation, but sometimes it helps to talk with someone knowledgable about the situation, i.e. a pilot. I've talked to several people about their fear of flying from a pilot's perspective, and I like to think it helped them somewhat.

Full disclosure, I am a pilot and also have an overwhelming fear of heights and roller coasters.

I am an aerospace engineer who is also a private pilot. I have had many conversations with people who were clearly nervous flying, and have said that my explanations have helped. I really do try to hammer home the point that we spend years and years (literally) designing and testing new aircraft, as well as creating incredibly sophisticated and all-encompassing maintenance routines. Sure, we're not perfect, but one look at the number of commercial aviation deaths in the developed world over the last 20-30 years goes to show that it works pretty damn well. 

10 hours ago, Luisrve said:

Sinphony of the seas

Is that the Vegas themed cruise? /s

13 hours ago, AlohaLivin said:

4 mile pier???

Take a look at Google Maps and you'll see. It's wild. Never been there myself, but I'm definitely aware of the legend of the long pier. 

6 hours ago, PhillyLady said:

My least favorite port is probably Grand Turk, but that is because it is very small with not a lot to do for land tours.

I love Turks & Caicos, but can't imagine taking a cruise there. It's definitely a place to spend a week, not a few hours, in my book. And I prefer other islands to Grand Turk. 

19 hours ago, Toby said:

Sorry if I got the name wrong. Is it called England then?  Is U.K. to all encompassing?  A internet search showed a team name "England" in 2018 World Cup bracket.

 

I always like this map - https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-great-britain-and-the-united-kingdom

56 minutes ago, Eyeonhevn said:

what time is the daily flight out of LGB to Dal? Would we make it in time on disembarkation day? 

More than just about any other airline in the US, Southwest's times depend on more than just the season, they can depend on the day of the week. LGB-DAL may be 9am Monday through Friday, but 12pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday. That's just kind of the way they are, especially from smaller out-stations like LGB. So, I can tell you today's LGB-DAL nonstop left at 2:30pm, but yesterday there wasn't a nonstop at all. 

1 hour ago, Eyeonhevn said:

Most of us are flying Southwest… and although we have booked our flight to Florida- they haven’t opened tickets yet for our return trip from LA. But checking earlier dates, there aren’t many options anywhere for nonstop flights to Dallas… which is a mystery to me! 

If you're only looking at Southwest, you're right, they don't do many nonstops LAX-DAL. If you're willing to expand your search and look at AA, they will likely offer a lot more LAX-DFW flights. For example, today, AA has 15 nonstop LAX-DFW flights, whereas Southwest has four nonstop LAX-DAL flights, plus a single direct flight (that makes not one but two stops along the way, but since you don't change planes along the way it's considered a direct flight). 

13 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

You could fly Southwest to Love FIeld from Long Beach.

That is true, there is one daily LGB-DAL nonstop which is a decent option. 

On 9/7/2022 at 10:36 AM, Berdjm said:

Hi all,

I have a cruise coming up in a few days on the Symphony and i'm wondering if Playmakers has a set schedule or follows ESPN broadcast times.  I specifically want to watch the Formula 1 race on Sunday and just want to figure out if i can either through the stateroom TV or at Playmakers.  The eastern broadcast time says it will air on ESPN2 at 8:30am and then replay again at 11:30pm.  I can't help but feel like these would be outside the operation times for playmakers anyways.

If anyone has some insight i would greatly appreciate it!

No need to watch it, we already know the GOAT will win:

12 minutes ago, Morganno said:

we usually have two pretty full cases with slacks, suit, toiletries

My fellow vacationers are lucky I pack even the most basic clothes. If I could stroll on with a garbage bag full of just shorts and t-shirts, I would. 

3 hours ago, b_resh_uh said:

Much discussion here on the drink package, but seriously do the math on whether it makes sense for you. I got what I thought was a smoking deal on the package and still wound up having to drink like a fish to feel like I was getting my money's worth. Actually was more stressful that way. 

I can see how it could feel stressful, but here's how I look at the drink package (and why I always get it) - (a) it's more than just alcohol, as it's a good way to get coffees, bottled waters (which are handy for excursions too), and sodas, and (b) it's a good way to try new drinks...if you don't like what you got, cast it aside and get another. It's a low-risk way to expand your cocktail horizons. While I usually have no problem breaking even when I factor everything (beyond just alcohol) in to it, I end up not being too concerned because it is a good way to try new stuff. 

On 8/30/2022 at 8:43 PM, Al. said:

Thank y'all for your comments. They have been helpful. I'm liking Ft Lauderdale from what I've read but of course, if I get a good deal on a cruise in another port, I'm certainly not averse to booking it. I just thought I would ask. 

I'd say it just increases your choices, both for cruises AND for airfares. There are airlines that only fly to FLL, ones that only fly to MIA, ones that fly to both. Some cities have nonstops to one, or the other, or both. Don't forget West Palm Beach (PBI) too - it's definitely further, but it's yet another option for flights. Just be sure to factor in time and cost of that airport if you end up going that route (I think it's like an hour from PBI to Port Everglades)

As long as you're physically able, one of the biggest mistakes in my book is taking elevators. Not only are they busy a lot of the time and may require a wait, but the walking and stair climbing is good for combatting the food and drink! Heck, we purposely choose a room as far from the elevators as possible. 

As mentioned, FLL is hands down the closest. But, that being said, Port of Miami is by no means far from MIA airport...something like 9 miles, which even in rush hour traffic isn't too far (as a reference, MSY Airport to the Port of New Orleans is 15-16 miles). I personally wouldn't base my cruise decision off of that - neither are hard to get to, and it's not even that hard to get from FLL to Port of Miami, or from MIA to Port Everglades, via shuttle or Uber/Lyft/taxi. I say choose the cruise you want and the flights that work best (schedule wise, fare wise, whatever you prioritize) and go from there. 

Hotel wise, I believe FLL has more options in proximity of the port than MIA does. 

3 hours ago, twangster said:

Many years ago before XM and Sirius merged you would have been right.  Back in the olden days of satellite radio they only worked with satellite receivers, so you weren't entirely wrong, just dated.

And then there was that fun, awkward in between where SiriusXM wanted a portable device, so they released the Stilleto which was basically a portable satellite radio, not a streaming data-based device. I had one of those bad boys and it felt so damn cool and futuristic. 

EDIT: Just realizing I also bought it at Radio Shack. Everything about this is so old school looking back with 2022 eyes. 

38 minutes ago, PRMLVM said:

who we've always thought was the Coast Guard....

 

Sure, sure, Coast Guard...

50 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

Our October cruise from Barcelona recently sold out the English-speaking tour for olive-oil tasting and only offered Spanish/Italian.

 

Does the olive oil taste differently in Spanish than it does in English? /s

While it will be a bit of a pain for them to convert it, and there will likely be a little bit of a fee for them, it helps that the USD is actually stronger than the EUR right now! 

Another vote for Pompei. Even as a history geek, I was surprised how much I loved it. It's huge, so set aside plenty of time. But it's a phenomenal visit. Capri is...fine. 

42 minutes ago, 4ensic said:

As a native St. Louisan, I can tell you that you've discovered the proper use for a can of Bud.  (Too bad InBev doesn't ship Natty Daddy - an 8% ale - out of the St. Louis area).  In the Philippines, younger Filipinos drink Bud since it's an import.  I pay about half the cost for a Red Horse since it still seems like an import to me.  Different strokes...

I'm a beer drinker, but I am also a beer geek, and Royal Caribbean offers pure crap when it comes to beer. So, while that Bud was the only beer I had all week...I can tell you it was quite refreshing (and, in this case, healing). Bud Light, no thanks...Bud Heavy, I'll drink here and there on a hot day. 

Also, funny story (I think) from the first time I got a drink package. We got on the ship at about 12pm, if not earlier, and went immediately to the pool (even before I had a drink...which means I broke the law I stated above, and paid the consequences as you'll see). As I was getting in, I slipped and sprained my thumb. So the very first drink I got with my drink package was a can of Budweiser so I could use it as an ice pack. It served double purpose - kept me from having to visit the doctor on the ship, and got the party going.